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My Crispiest, Juiciest Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
Everyone needs a reliable baked chicken legs recipe to turn to, and this one is mine. It’s basically the opposite of fancy — just simple, flavorful, savory, and crispy chicken I want to make over and over again. Here’s why:
- Juicy with super crispy skin – Chicken leg recipes are harder to dry out than white meat, but these come out extra juicy with my tips. And if you’ve seen me rave about crispy skin in my chicken leg quarters, chicken wings, and chicken thighs, you know I wouldn’t have drumsticks any other way, either.
- Quick and easy – I love spices, but pared down to just the important ones here — 4 ingredients (plus salt and pepper), if you’re counting! And these oven baked chicken legs need just a few minutes of your time.
- Family friendly – They’re protein packed, simple, and a hit with kids and adults alike. It’s just all around a winner of a chicken dinner.
Clearly I’m not the only one that has those days I love this kind of easy, healthy dinner. It’s become one of my most popular chicken recipes here on Wholesome Yum. And after all these years, this method for how to bake chicken legs in the oven is still the one I use most often. Make them with me!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my baked chicken legs recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Chicken Drumsticks – Choose ones that are uniform in size, so they cook at the same rate. Some of you have asked if you can use chicken breast. You can, but you’re better off following my baked chicken breast recipe — some of my tips are different for that cut.
- Butter Or Oil – For flavor, locking in moisture, and crispy skin. Butter has a low smoke point, so I don’t usually use it for roasting, but I love the flavor that it gives this recipe and haven’t had issues. Feel free to use ghee, olive oil, or avocado oil instead. Cooking spray also works — I recommend an oil mister like this to avoid chemicals.
- Seasonings – My go-to blend is smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. I’ve also made these baked chicken legs with other spice blends, including Italian seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, and Cajun seasoning. If your blend contains salt, reduce or omit the salt added separately. You can make complimentary additions to the above spices, too, such as oregano, onion powder, or cayenne pepper.
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How To Bake Chicken Legs
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Prep the oven and pan. Preheat the oven. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, then place an oven-safe rack over the sheet pan. (I like this set — it’s non-stick, so easy to clean.) I prefer foil rather than parchment paper for lining underneath the rack, because it catches the juices more easily.
- Dry, oil, and season. Pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, then brush with melted butter or oil. (I like this brush that cleans up easily.) Sprinkle spices all over.
- Bake chicken legs in the oven. Roasting at high heat, flipping halfway through. See my tips below to get them extra crispy!
- Let them rest. Remove from the oven and wait a few minutes before serving — this lets the juices settle, so your baked chicken legs stay juicy inside.
My Recipe Tips
- Why pat dry? I always pat steaks, poultry, and fish dry before cooking, as it helps them all stay more juicy. But for skin-on chicken in particular, this also helps the skin crisp up better.
- Do you have to use a rack? No, and I’ve tried this baked chicken legs recipe on a regular baking sheet, but this baking sheet with rack set makes it so much better. It allos hot air to circulate and extra grease drips down, so it cooks more evenly and crisps up better. And you won’t run out of ways to use it — I also use mine for bacon in the oven, lemon pepper wings, coconut shrimp, and spatchcock chicken!
- Season right on the pan to save on dishes. You can just toss the chicken drumsticks with everything in a bowl or on a cutting board too, but using the baking sheet means less dishes to wash.
- Want to use fresh garlic? I use garlic powder because garlic over the skin will burn. If you want to use fresh garlic, it’s best to put it in a compound butter underneath the skin instead, like I do with my air fryer chicken legs.
- For even crispier skin, sprinkle lightly with baking powder before baking. I do that for this crispy baked chicken and it’s pretty amazing.
- Start baking chicken legs skin side down first. Obviously all sides have skin, but one side has more. The side facing up last ends up a teeny-tiny bit more crispy than the bottom side, so I like to start with the best side down and end with it face up. And flipping is a must, even with the rack.
- Cook to 170 degrees F, not 165. Chicken needs to reach 165 degrees F to be safe (source), but I highly recommend cooking chicken legs in the oven to an internal temperature of 170 degrees F. That’s when the collagen breaks down (in other words, they become juicy and tender). Here’s the instant-read thermometer I use and recommend.
- Broil at the end if needed. If your baked chicken legs are not as crispy as you like, place them under the broiler for a couple minutes to crisp up more. Watch closely so that they don’t burn!
Baked Chicken Legs (Crispy, Easy Recipe)
By
This baked chicken legs recipe makes them so juicy with perfect crispy skin! You need just a few simple ingredients and easy 10-minute prep.
Instructions
[ See step photos See my tips ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place an oven safe rack on top. (I use this set, which includes the baking sheet and rack that fits perfectly.)
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Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels, which will help them get crispy. Arrange the chicken legs on the rack.
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Brush the chicken drumsticks with melted butter. Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
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Bake the chicken legs in the oven for 25 minutes. Flip and bake for another 10-20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F (77 degrees C).
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Optional step: If the chicken drumsticks are not as crispy as you like, place under the broiler for a couple of minutes to crisp up the skin more.
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Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Did you make it? Leave a review or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 drumstick
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips to help you get the juiciest baked chicken legs with the crispiest skin.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The skin does get soft, but you can crisp it up again.
- Reheat: For crispy skin and a juicy inside, I recommend reheating chicken legs in the oven again, this time at 350 degrees F. If the skin is still not crisp, you can place under the broiler for a minute or two. The microwave works in a pinch, but the skin will be soft.
- Freezer meal prep: My favorite meal prep hack with this recipe is to brush with butter and season the chicken, then freeze it raw. That way there is virtually no prep before baking later, and this actually makes them even more juicy!
- More freezing options: You can freeze raw chicken for up to 9-12 months, but already baked chicken legs taste best in the first 3-4 months. I lay them on a parchment lined sheet pan in a single layer and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip lock bag for compact storage. This method prevents them from sticking together. For best results, thaw before you reheat.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Baked Chicken Legs Recipe
Serving Ideas
There isn’t much that doesn’t go with baked chicken legs. Here are some of my fave side dishes to go with them:
- Vegetables – If you have double ovens like I do, you can make my roasted green beans, loaded cauliflower casserole, or roasted eggplant at the same time as the chicken. Otherwise, I would cook fried cabbage, creamed spinach, sauteed broccoli with garlic, or sauteed zucchini on the stovetop while you bake chicken legs in the oven.
- Starches – Most often, I roasted potatoes, air fry sweet potatoes, or make lighter pasta swaps, like baked spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.
- Salads – Make it a light meal with my Caprese salad or cucumber tomato avocado salad in the warm months, and my kale salad or winter salad in the cool months.
- Sauces – I think these juicy baked chicken legs are plenty flavorful on their own! If you want a little something extra, serve them with my BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or sugar-free honey mustard.
More Easy Chicken Leg Recipes
Looking for more chicken leg recipes? Here are some of my other favorite ways to cook them:
385 Comments
Kerri
0This is my go-to chicken leg recipe it never fails and it’s so easy
Jill Schacter
0Love this recipe. One of my staples. Delish! And so easy.
Ed Silver
0This was really delicious. But it was not crispy. I thought I followed the directions carefully but somewhere I went wrong. I am not a cook but I am the food preparer in our home. My wife loved it as well.
Jen
0The cook time was perfect but they weren’t crispy at all and I wanted more flavor so when they were done baking I brushed more melted butted over them, sprinkled some more salt and added a touch of garlic powder then broiled on high for 1 min on each side. Crisped right up and were delicious!
Tish
0I made this recipe today with 11 very large drumsticks. I didn’t measure the seasonings but just liberally sprinkled them on the drumsticks. It took 1.5 hours at 425 degrees for the chicken to reach 165 degree internal temperature. They were moist and juicy inside, not as crispy outside as expected from the description, but very tasty nonetheless. My family really enjoyed them, and I expect to repeat this recipe a lot. I’m going to try the seasonings on chicken breasts, thighs and wings as well.
Rob Huntley
0My wife and I are going to start the Keto diet is there anything you can help us with to start. Many thanks.
Rennae
0This is totally a Wonderful KETO recipe. Keep loving the fats and stay away from the carbs! Enjoy! P.S. sometimes my proteins are too high. It’s my old way of thinking that needs to readjust!
Jean
0I have no smoked paprika but have plain paprika. Any substitution?
Rennae
0Jean, all I had was regular paprika and I added a shake of cumin to it! It gave me kind of a smokey flavor!
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Jean, That would work.
priscilla marban
0can we an air fryer for this? thanks.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Priscilla, Yes, an air fryer would for this recipe too.
Ray Dombroski
0Quick, easy and tastes great.
Lisa
0Super easy! I love being able to adjust the serving size. The seasoning is just perfect. Where has Smoked Paprika been all my life? I was able to make a whole pack of drums for family visiting. Paired with my yummy Cauliflower mash and some green veggies. Great Dinner or lunch w/ left overs.
Rickie Korndorffer
0I had this for lunch. Absolutely Delicious. Great quick meal.
Barb
0No taste, very bland. Not crispy, bake longer some were still raw inside. I put them in the air fryer for 10 more minutes.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Barb, Sorry this recipe didn’t meet your expectations. I’m happy to help you troubleshoot. Did you have your oven set to 425 degrees? If you did and they were not crispy or done, it means they needed to cook for longer. The time can vary depending on your oven and the size of the chicken legs.
Sue
0Where do I place my oven rack for this recipe?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Sue, Place it in the middle.
Tabatha Dean
0WOW!!! I did it actually the way you said, and it turned out crispy and juicer than I thought it would. I used olive oil instead of butter. They are delicious and didn’t dry out. I’ve never cooked chicken on 425 before because I thought that they would burn or dry out, but neither happened. Thanks for sharing.
Linda Smith
0This chicken was delicious! Would never have thought baking it at 425 wouldn’t dry it out, but it didn’t. I’m usually a thigh girl but legs were on sale and these were so good!
Linda Smith
0Can’t wait to try this recipe with some chicken legs I have in the freezer!
Isabella
0I really like chicken but haven’t been able to cook it the best I could. This is a very easy recipe thank you.
Jeannine
0I couldnt find the recipe so i winged it with amounts. Came out great. Didnt have a rack so washed the oven rack good and put the legs on it and put the baking sheet right below on next level down. Worked excellently. My only suggestion would be to put the recipe higher up in your column. I didnt look below the extra recipes til today. I didnt realize it would be so far down. But thats my fault for not continuing down.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Jeannine, There is a jump to recipe button at the top of the page you can use to get right to the recipe card.
Tina
0My suggestion would be to double or triple the seasoning!
Tisha
0When I do a recipe like this I usually quadruple the seasoning and put it in a spice jar labeled. That way, I can have it all made up for the next time.
Janaye
0I followed the instructions, added a bit more seasonings, and the chicken came out perfect. This is my second time using this recipe and it’s definitely the best method for baking chicken with some crunch. Thanks for the recipe!